Mark Davies has been announced as the winner of the National Farmers’ Union of Wales (NFU Cyrmu) and MFU Mutual’s Welsh Livestock Champion of the Year Award 2023.
Davies, from Crosswell, Eglwyswrw, was announced as the winner of the award at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Llanelwedd today (Monday, November 27).
The competition aims to recognise the role a good livestock manager can make to a livestock farm and to the wider Welsh livestock industry.
Presenting Mark with the prize of £500 and a Royal Welsh engraved crystal trophy, chair of NFU Cymru’s livestock board Rob Lewis said: “Marks attention to detail and care for his stock were clear to see and I am delighted to be able to present him with this award today.
“The quality of his stock and his enthusiasm to continue to develop the business was second to none and with the driving force of his three daughters, Caryl, Sara and Lowri, behind him I have no doubt that Mark is a well-deserved winner of this award.”
NFU Mutual senior agent and NFU Cyrmu group secretary, Mike Thomas, said: “It was clear to see the enthusiasm Mark has for the quality of his stock as soon as we met with him.
“He was passionate about the care his animals receive but also ensuring his business remains profitable.
“Mark’s thoughts around farm safety were especially important and NFU Mutual is pleased to recognise and champion good stockpeople who incorporate the best livestock practices with high standards of on-farm safety.”
Mark Davies
Originally starting off with around 30 suckler cows made up of a mixture of Limousins and British Blues and 200 sheep, Davies decided to take the business in a different direction and now has a herd of pedigree Limousin cattle.
Davies’ aim is to produce quality store cattle at the young age of eight to 10 months with excellent confirmation.
NFU Cymru said Davies pays great attention to breeding and when choosing bulls has bought from Stirling and Carlise to develop the bloodlines of the herd.
“Before heifers are bulled, Mark pays particular attention to pelvic measurements to help determine whether it is suitable to breed from the animal or not,” the union said.
“This management strategy has been effective in decreasing the number of c-sections as well as helping breed animals with larger pelvic areas, with the smaller animals being bred out over the years.”
Davies runs a flock of Tregaron-type improved Welsh and Aberfield ewes that lamb during February and March.
The farm has grazing rights to the Preseli Mountains therefore most of the sheep are hefted to the mountain during the summer months.
All the ewe lamb replacements are kept and follow into the flock which has improved consistency and ensures hardiness. Sheep are kept on a low maintenance system, with no concentrates pre-lambing. All ewes are lambed outside.
A hand-picked selection of Welsh rams are kept for selling at autumn breeding sales which provides the farm with extra income.
